dr beer

fi · Post by fi » Tue Jul 29, 2003 10:22 am

hi all, has anyone registered and had tests with dr beers clinic in london, it all looks very professional and impressive, and after this 3rd icsi attempt if it doesn't work we were thinking of getting the killer cell count tests done and other immunological things done. interested to hear anyones feedback, luv fi

sharon · Post by **sharon** » Tue Jul 29, 2003 12:59 pm

Hi FI, I just wanted to say that as you know we have had 3 failed ICSIs ( each time I had grade a/b embryos replaced and assisted hatching on 3rd go)so I asked my clinic last week about having some tests done after reading Samks message, but they don't do them - they said that they have done lots of research on the subject and that there is no proof that having these tests and taking steriods actually helps. We are now on our 4th attempt - if all goes well E/C should be next week some time but im just at the end of my tether, I just feel helpless. Like you I would be interested to know if anyone else has had these test, and what their clinic say about them. When I started this go I said to myself I would be more positive, but know hearing about these tests etc.... Im starting to feel negative again. Hope you are ok. Sharon G xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Helen S · Post by **Helen S** » Tue Jul 29, 2003 2:12 pm

Hi Fi How are you doing honey? Hope you are ok. I haven't been posting much lately, but do log in from time to time to check how everyone is doing! Am I right in thinking you are mid cycle? I don't know if you can remember but we have had 3 failed ICSI cycles and we have just had base line scan today for FET, which will probably happen mid August in a natural cycle (spurred on by my buddy Tracey S!) After 3 failures with good embies, we too have had some different tests via our local clinic. I have been tested for antiphospholipid antibodies (sticky blood, so it can't flow though to embie), which was ok and also chromosone tests for both me and DH - which are all ok. My consultant at LGI is looking into the Active Natual Killer cell thing for us. They don't test for it at the LGI, but he has rung the Lister - which I do know do the test to see if we can have some blood analysed there. He's on hols at the mo, but we are going ahead with FET anyway. Sfter a year off am dying to get back in there! I hope this helps, sometimes you do look for an answer, but it's all down to bad luck - said she, who insisted on the tests even when the hopsital were sure that they would be ok! But I know what you mean about getting checked out - even if it for your own peace of mind it might be useful. ANYWAY - what am I saying, you won't need them as this will be the one for you. PMA girl - I'm passing you some down the line!!! Big hugs, keep smiling. Love Helen. xxxx

loose · Post by **loose** » Tue Jul 29, 2003 6:52 pm

hello I've just finished sending a message to samk and Alison on NK cells on a previous thread. I'm at ARGC and through the clinic have had blood tests sent to Dr Beer in the states - I haven't seen him. I think my doctor works quite closely with him. In my case it was definately worth sending the blood tests to him as they have pinpointed 3 problems that could be causing my miscarriages, one of which is a problem of toxcidity resulting from the KCells (apparantly i have a normal amount of the K Cells). Because of this I am going to have to inject Enbrel or some other drug from the states, in order to reduce the toxcidity. Only if its reduced can i then start ivf. I've been searching the web and found the transcript of what I imagine was a radio interview with him, you might find it worth checking out: www.inciid.org/transcripts/beer062399.html. There is also his website which is definately worth a look - http://repro-med.net Hope that helps somewhat - I'm feeling pretty confused by the whole thing. Good luck Loose

fi · Post by fi » Tue Jul 29, 2003 7:03 pm

thanks guys, sharon g - wishing you all the best for this one, it soooo has to be your time! helen - honey of course i remember you!i am at end of sniffing first baseline tomorrow loose - thanks so much for your info. i have spent hours myself on the internet and repromed is a fantastic site. they have emailed me back to say worth going ahead with registration, which we will do if (!!???) this attempt is neg. i wondered if you could just have the tests done rather than the consultant appt (£300). i really like the way they operate with email responses which they charge for but very efficient. i wondered if anyone was actually with dr beer at the mo? feel rather despondent though since sooooo much that can be a hurdle and reading this site and fertility friends (FF) really blows your mind. sending you all hugs, do you use the ff site at all? love fi

Natalie100 · Post by **Natalie100** » Wed Jul 30, 2003 8:04 am

Hi I may be able to offer a little bit of info. After 2 failed attempts at ICSI I felt it was worth while getting some other tests done. I have a thyroid problem which is now under control but can also be linked to NK Cells. My clinic think that this isnt the problem and its because of my poor quality eggs (im only 28) and not managed to produce one top grade egg!. They want me to have some tests done to try and find out the reason. Anyway I e-mailed Dr Beer who said it was highly likely that I have a problem!....I should register with him. Anyway it seems that you would have to see him and pay the £300 fee before you start, he may give you the results by e-mail but again he does charge for this. You have to download the registraion pack and fill in in and return it with a letter from your IVF clinic, then they will register you and you will get an appt. I gather he is only in the UK for 1 week out of 4. Anyway they will discuss the tests that you need done and the reulsts normally take between 7-14 days. I am not with him, I was going to but the tests he suggested would have cost in the region of £1300. The are a load of girls on the IVF connections website who are being treated by him, some are happy with him and others arent. I have found a place in the US who also runs these tests, they will e-mail me the results and they are happy to speak to my consultant about the results once we have them. I have to send them to the US which is about £60 and the tests are £350......so much more respectable, they are even sending me the syringes I need for the bloods. If you are interested the website is www.rialab.com. i e-mailed Dr Matzner yesterday and I had a reply by the end of the day. They also have a board where you can post and he responds to them, they are also very good as you can read other people's questions. Not sure if any of this helps!.....seems like this subject is touch and go as some people really believe in it and others dont. Oh by the way if you want to save a few £'ss which im sure you do you should probably get your GP to runs tests for: Anti-Nuclear factor/ANA Anti-Phiphosphol/APA Anti-Thyroid antibodies/ATA's They are done through the NHS as my GP done them for me, this rules out some of the more common problems Good luck Nat

fi · Post by fi » Wed Jul 30, 2003 1:57 pm

Nat, thanks sooo much, i will look at the us site and will contact my gp, it is a mindfiled isn't it! how are you doing IVF wise? are you hanging on until you have the results? wishing you lots of luck, luv fi

Natalie100 · Post by **Natalie100** » Wed Jul 30, 2003 3:28 pm

Hi Fi Oddley enough I have had the most bizarre day. I phoned my local immunology/Haemotology dept today just to check that they dont test for NK cells and a lday called me straight back, she normally works at Barts in London but is covering Colchester at the moment........she was so helpful, asked lots of questions why I wanted them tested and history aswell, she says there isnt any hard evidence that NK have anything to do with infertility etc...only the few people who practice in this field truly believe it, she says is a very "grey area". Anyway she felt in her opinion that I didnt have them and that my clinic's view aswell, but she said if I wanted them tested they can do them. My clinic has to phone her and organise it and arrange when my bloods are to be sent in!!....I was shocked, Colchester is like 15 minutes away from me!! They do what they call a lymphocite test which includes NK cells. So I called my clinic and they are going to arrange it. It took about 30 calls and a good hour on the phone but I have found somewhere, plus she said it would be peanuts compared to what the others wanted to charge. All I can say is keep trying, perhaps even your local haemotology dept. As for me...I am wanting to get onto my 3rd go already, but I am waiting until I have these results, I feel its very important to me and I also have to have my FSH, LH and estrodol levels checked over my next 2 cycles (only been a month since the 2nd failed attempt). They are trying to see if there is a reason for our poor quality embryo's. So I will wait for all the results before we start as they feel if there is a problem with the FSH and LH like an imbalance they can give me another injection to level them out a bit as an imbalance in them can cause poor egg quality. I think you are mid-cycle right now?. What stage are you up to??. Have you had good quality eggs on the other 2 attempts? Sorry for all the questions. Wishing you lots of luck. Natx

fi · Post by fi » Wed Jul 30, 2003 3:59 pm

wow nat thats fantastic! just shows perseverance pays off. yep you do right to make sure your levels are correct. i am only at baseline today, so start injections then hope e/c around 11th...we'll see just take each day as it comes! yep had good embies both times, 1st cycle - grade 1 10 cell and 6, no frosties, 2nd cycle both 3 cells no frosties again and no positive test ever which makes me wonder about immunology , also have never had any to freeze so something going on? i am intrigued about this new 'lif' and all of the tests dr.beer can do, let me know how you get on with the tests, email me direct as sometimes i don't log on to this. best wishes, fi

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